A new molecule synthesized by a University of Texas at Dallas researcher kills a broad spectrum of hard-to-treat cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer, by exploiting a weakness in cells not previously targeted by other drugs. Using an approach called structure-based rational drug design, he previously developed potential therapeutic candidate compounds for treatment-resistant breast cancer and for prostate cancer. TNBC generally affects women under 40 and has poorer outcomes than other types of breast cancer. “In fact, it killed the triple-negative breast cancer cells better than it killed the ER-positive cells. The molecule also proved effective at killing cancer cells in human tissue gathered from patients who had their tumors removed.